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Marussia Launches MR03 Challenger In Spain

Briton Max Shilton drives the new Marussia MR03 out of the garage Thursday afternoon in Jerez, Spain. [Photo by Sutton Images]

JEREZ, Spain- After waiting to make certain that everything was working well as in addition launching their new car at 3:00 in the afternoon, Team Marussia launched their MR03 Thursday afternoon, with Briton Max Shilton taking the car out of the garage for the team’s first run.

The team decided that they would rather take care of their problem at the factory before having to transport the new entry to this southeastern Spanish circuit. Like some other teams, Marussia will actually have the same teammates as they did last season with Shilton being joined once again by Frenchman Jules Bianchi.

One thing that will be different will be the engine supplier. Last season, the team ran on Cosworth engines, but this season, the team will run with Ferrari power, something that Team Manager John Booth will hope get the team up to the midfield part of the grid.

“We have to temper the fact that there are a great many unknowns this season with the fact that we are, by nature, a highly ambitious team that is always demanding more of itself,” Booth said. “The target is to keep moving forward and that means being in a position where we no longer have to focus on the threat from behind and, instead, take the fight to the teams ahead. It is very early days to be speculating about relative performance though and that is something we can perhaps only speak with confidence about in Australia in 45 days’ time.”

In comparison to last year’s model, this year will be quite different as Chief Designer John McQulliiam was happy to explain.

“Through the course of 2012 we analyzed every single element of the car – from the tip of the nose to the trailing edge of the rear wing – knowing just how radically different the MR03 would be under such sweeping Technical Regulations.” He said. “We have benefitted enormously from the stability of our design teams, with the same personnel beginning – and now concluding – the process over a 24 month period. I think we can feel justifiably proud of the way we have responded to such a significant challenge and the quality of car we have arrived at with the MR03.

“The car has been manufactured and finished to a very high standard, whilst achieving our most significant weight-saving targets to date and, importantly, with a crucial eye towards maintaining our excellent record of reliability.

“Without doubt, the greatest design challenge has been in terms of cooling, yet this is one of a few areas where we are not only very pleased with the design response, but also the degree of innovation we have achieved with our solution.

“All-new front and rear suspension layouts are a product of the new aerodynamic regulations placing greater emphasis on mechanical performance, with the mechanical systems now having far greater real road relevance.”

Hopefully this idea could give the team more chances that it could get it’s first points after having to struggle for the past few years.

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